Luiz Felipe Scolari took over as football manager of Chelsea F.C. on July 1, 2008. This was announced shortly after Portugal's Euro 2008 match against the Czech Republic on June 11, 2008.

Felipe Scolari became the first FIFA World Cup winning manager to manage in the English Premier League. Many English Premier League football fans will relish the confrontations between Scolari and Sir Alex Ferguson and have been warned to expect "tantrums" and more importantly "triumphs". 

When asked whether his decision to join Chelsea was financial he responded "Yes, that is one of the reasons". But he added "I'm 59 and I don't want to work as a coach until I'm 70. I want to retire in four or five years, so it was a financial matter but there are other things". Scolari also said "I could offer my son the opportunity to study elsewhere. You only get this kind of opportunity once so you take it or leave it, but it was not only financial."

Scolari later said that he had turned down an offer to manage Manchester City.

Scolari's first match in charge of Chelsea was a friendly match against Chinese side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical; Chelsea won 4-0.

Scolari made FC Barcelona midfielder Deco his first signing, for a fee of around £8 million, but was subsequently frustrated in his attempts to sign Brazilian international Robinho from Real Madrid.

Scolari's career as Chelsea manager in the English Premier League got off to a good start with a 4-0 victory over 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth.